eclinicgal

I feel as though I have a unique perspective here. I'm a nursing student right now at the age of 30. I have a Bach. and Masters and before this, I practiced as a veterinary technician. It's the equivalent of an RN, Nurse Anesthetist, surgical tech, radiology tech, and dental hygienist, and the dreaded "lab technician". It requires licensure and has the option of a 2 or 4 yr. degree. I have to agree with Esme12 on her post. In my clinicals in nursing, I'm amazed at the behavior of some newer nurses and the "It's not my job mentality". I did it all, cardiology practice, emergency practice, general, and orthopedics in the veterinary world. After my latest human ER experience, I just can't believe some of what I've seen. Half of me would prefer to be treated in the Animal ER, where as a tech, I would transport the patient from the room, draw the blood, urine, feces, etc. for the lab, place the IV catheter, get the fluids started, actually DO the labwork, chart the lab work, report to the vet, take the radiographs (anesthesia often required), do treatments every hour, get the patients to the potty, recover them from anesthesia, maintain anesthesia records, mandatory TPRs q4h on ALL patients, charting all of the above and observations. Administering all meds, IV, IM, SQ, PO and charting these, discharging patients, changing dressings and bedding, infection control, taking out trash, wrapping and sterilizing packs, mandatory checks, tests, and maintenance of instruments, monitors, IV pumps, anesthesia equipment and accessories, faxing records to primary vets, and for an average of 30 patients per night. Throw in a 3 hour emergency surgery (prep, induction, anesthesia admin, monitoring, warming, recovering, clean-up, clean sx suite, wrap packs, autoclave, CHART!), a barium series, and at least three toxicity cases (emesis induction, gastric lavage, activated charcoal) and you'd have my average 12 hour shift at a veterinary ER. Sadly, these techs make half the money of RN's, get half the respect, and seem to do TWICE the work. If a tech I was supervising went in to do treatments or meds considered "licensed staff work" but neglected a wet patient sitting in their own filth, waiting for the assistant to do it, I would have fired her. Yet we see that all the time, "I'll send someone in to change you in just a minute." is something I've heard far too often in human hospitals, LTC, etc. I may be feeling a bit jaded today as I've just come off of clinicals and I don't know the full job yet because I'm just a student BUT where does this mentality come from? I guess I just fully expect that nursing is a running, sweating, crazy job only for people who thrive in that type of environment. I'm entering nursing because I found in the veterinary world that I really like helping people, I'm good at the technical, and it seems more meaningful to me to help humans. Maybe it's the departmentalization of human health care that makes it so much more difficult. After all, when you don't do it yourself, you are forever reliant on scheduling, timing, and efficiency, let alone communication skills of the other departmental staff.

This morning, we had a Microbiology exam and I saw the girl beside me googling the questions on her Blackberry under her desk. I had already finished and turned my exam in (the reason I could look around). It immediately made me fume inside because I study and have somehow managed to obtain two degrees without EVER cheating! I didn't hesitate to get up and walk up to the professor and tell him that she was cheating. She's fortunate I didn't holler out, "Are you cheating?" immediately upon seeing her with her Blackberry, to be honest. I abhor cheaters, and it drives me nuts thinking that there are people in this class that will study hard, go to tutoring, and struggle to EARN a C, whilst she may "fake" her way to an A. The trouble is, I'm not sure that the professor was able to observe her doing it himself and at this point it's a she said-she said situation. I guess I want to know what I should do if I see it again? Should I call her out in front of the entire class? Thanks, Jen

WillLeads2Way, Thanks for the recommendation. I've been looking at the WGU BSN program for people who already have a degree. Just have to finish those curse pre-reqs. It makes me feel old! I get it, after all the Periodic Table of Elements has changed since my Gen Chem classes!! I suppose we all have to keep up. We are fortunate here that the public CC's and universities are affordable in California. I think I will apply to two or three of each type and take the highest level program I am accepted to. Good luck!!

Willowita, Thanks for your response. I have a sister that is an RN in rural Kansas, she hears the same whisperings although she has a 2 yr. degree and has a full-time staff position, part-time position, and still receives per-diem calls from an agency twice a week. Right now I'm going to focus on my CNA class and finishing my pre-reqs. When I've done that, I'm going to be the best GD CNA I can be and try to learn from the best. For now, I think I'll make a list of the schools and programs I'll apply to and go from there. Thanks!!

Willowita, Thanks for your response. I have a sister that is an RN in rural Kansas, she hears the same whisperings although she has a 2 yr. degree and has a full-time staff position, part-time position, and still receives per-diem calls from an agency twice a week. Right now I'm going to focus on my CNA class and finishing my pre-reqs. When I've done that, I'm going to be the best GD CNA I can be and try to learn from the best. For now, I think I'll make a list of the schools and programs I'll apply to and go from there. Thanks!!

To all those who have gone before me - I am 29 years old, with a bachelor's and master's degree in fields other than nursing. After being a critical care and emergency veterinary technician (like an RN but can administer anesthesia) for six years, I have been an animal pharma rep for the remainder. I have found myself in four corporate mergers in the same number of years. Although I've managed to survive the fall out of these mergers, it has only been with limited opportunity elsewhere and a steadily declining income. I have always considered becoming an RN, even when I was studying for my degrees, I just never did it. Well, I have now committed to doing it, with the support of my DH and have started by enrolling in a CNA class while completing the four pre-req's that are too old to transfer at my local community college in order to gain experience. I guess what I'd like to know from some of you is how to make sense of and choose a path for my nursing future. I see so many options available when it comes to education. I'm in L.A. and see that UCLA has an MSN program for folks that have a Bachelor's in another field to earn their RN. That program also makes one eligible to sit for CNL and Public Health Nursing, etc. I also see that there are numerous BSN programs out there. And, of course, there is the 2 yr. degree that would also allow me to take the RN exam. In reality, with the 4 pre-req's I have to retake (credits are too old), the MSN, BSN, and Assoc. will all result in me finishing school at around the same time, give or take a semester. Part of me is inclined to apply to a few of each type when my pre-reqs are done and take the MSN if I get selected. The other part says, just do the Assoc., get my license, and hope my Master's in business help me out later. I should say that we are able to live on DH's income alone so being able to work while in school is not a concern, although I would prefer to get my foot in the door somewhere, even if as a CNA. I'm not afraid of hard work and taking my kicks from the wise, learned nurses I'll encounter. Vet techs eat their young as well, and the woman I provided many an overnight snack to is now my best friend and mentor. :-) What are your recommendations on what to do? Positives and negatives of each? Thanks,